Teens and Energy Drinks

[TheMightyFavog]

http://greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080711/GPG04/807110669&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

But while teens tout the coolness, energizing factor and taste, the popularity of energy drinks among young people has raised concern among medical professionals, schools and state and local officials. At issue are the heavy caffeine and sugar content, the common practice of mixing them with alcohol and advertising that seems to target minors.

The FDA does not have a formal limit on the amount of caffeine that can be in foods, but says about 72 mg of caffeine is "generally recognized as safe" for cola-type beverages. An 8-ounce cup of coffee has anywhere from 75 to 300 mg, according to caffeine researcher Laura Juliano, a professor at American University.

Some energy drinks have as much as 500 mg for a 24-ounce can, and teens who drink them say they find themselves in a buzz-crash pattern.

"I can't get off them," says Greg Schubert, 16, who drinks two Monsters a day. "Whenever I don't have them, I feel tired and worn out."

[elehhhhna]

1. My 14 y/o was getting spun up and panicky. Doc's first question:

How much caffiene in the diet?

She stopped her daily coke/pepsi (blame Daddy -- I don't buy that crap and we'd had some rows over his doing so) and VOILA, within a week anxiety problem solved.

[slampoet]

2. Wow. This is nearly the same story as the one criticizing teens drinking lattes in 1995.